Cosmetic composition for improving skin conditions comprising fusion protein

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a skin-penetrating peptide, a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformant comprising the expression vector, a method for preparing the fusion protein, a cosmetic composition for improving skin conditions, which comprises the fusion protein, and a pharmaceutical composition for external skin use, which comprises the fusion protein. The fusion protein of the invention comprises a skin-penetrating peptide bound to a physiologically active protein. The fusion protein significantly enhances the skin penetration and skin retention of the physiologically active protein while maintaining or enhancing the ability of the physiologically active protein to synthesize a material showing physiologically active effects. Thus, it can be widely used as an active ingredient in functional cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for external skin use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0138657, filed 14 Nov. 2013 (14 Nov. 2013); Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2013-0138658, filed 14 Nov. 2013 (14 Nov. 2013);Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0020768, filed 21 Feb. 2014 (21Dec. 2014); Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0020769, filed 21 Feb.2014 (21 Feb. 2014); Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0020770,filed 21 Feb. 2014 (21 Feb. 2014); and Korean Patent Application No.10-2014-0020771, filed 21 Feb. 2014 (21 Feb. 2014), the disclosure ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising askin-penetrating peptide, a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein,an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformantcomprising the expression vector, a method for preparing the fusionprotein, a cosmetic composition for improving skin conditions whichcomprises the fusion protein, and a pharmaceutical composition forexternal skin use which comprises the fusion protein.

BACKGROUND

With continued developments in the cosmetic industry, highly functionalcosmetics have been continuously developed using new materials andtechnologies. In addition, in recent years, the amount of consumers whodemand specific effects including skin whitening, wrinkle reduction andskin regeneration has increased, and as such the value of functionalcosmetics in the cosmetic industry has further increased, and studies onthe application of various materials to cosmetics have receivedattention.

For example, skin wrinkles can be said to be morphological andstructural changes in the skin, which occur locally in regions thatundergo permanent deformation due to muscular motion. In order tounderstand the wrinkle formation mechanism, it is important toinvestigate not only such physiological changes, but also changes in theinternal structure and physical properties of the skin. In connectionwith this, reported changes in the internal structure of the skin, whichare caused by photoaging, include thickening of the epidermis anddermis, abnormal accumulation of elastotic material, and changes in thethree-dimensional structure of elastic fiber. In addition, with respectto collagen, which is the major component of skin, microfibrillation ofcollagen fibers, weakening of fibers, and the like have been reported.

Collagen is a major matrix protein that is produced in skin fibroblasts.It is an important protein that is present in the extracellular matrixand accounts for 30 wt % of the total weight of the proteins in thebody. It also has a rigid triple-helical structure. It is known thatcollagen mainly functions to give mechanical firmness to the skin,strengthen connective tissue, bind tissues, maintain cell adhesion, andinduce cell division and differentiation (during organism growth orwound healing). The amount of collagen proteins decreases with age andwith UV-induced photoaging. As is generally known in the art, as agingprogresses, the skin becomes thinner, and this phenomenon is closelyassociated with a decrease in skin elasticity and the formation ofwrinkles.

Active ingredients known to exhibit wrinkle reduction effects bypromoting collagen synthesis include, for example, retinoic acid, TGF(transforming growth factor), animal placenta-derived protein (JapanesePatent Laid-Open Publication No. 1996-231370), betulinic acid (JapanesePatent Laid-Open Publication No. 1996-208424), chlorella extracts(Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 1994-040523 and 1998-036283)and the like. However, these active ingredients have a problem in thatthey may cause side effects, such as irritation and redness, uponapplication to the skin and thus have had limited applications.Alternatively, these active ingredients have insignificant effects, andthus cannot provide a sufficient effect of improving skin conditions bypromoting collagen synthesis in the skin.

It is known that this problem is mainly because the various activeingredients intended to exhibit wrinkle reduction effects by promotingcollagen synthesis are not normally absorbed into the skin. Thus,studies have been actively conducted to develop methods for promotingthe absorption of the above-described active ingredients. For example,Korean Patent Registration No. 1054519 discloses a human growthhormone-derived peptide having excellent stability and skin penetrationproperties compared to natural human growth hormones, and a compositioncomprising the same, and Korean Patent Registration No. 1104223discloses an IL-10-derived peptide, which performs the same function asthat of human IL-10 and has very excellent stability and skinpenetration properties compared to natural IL-10, and a compositioncomprising the same. However, these peptides have a disadvantage in thatthey merely exhibit functionality by themselves and cannot be used ascarriers for delivering other drugs. This disadvantage suggests thatexcellent skin penetration alone does not satisfy the requirements fordrug delivery. Thus, in order to promote collagen synthesis, it isrequired to develop novel materials that satisfy two requirements:excellent skin penetration, and enhancement of collagen synthesis in theskin. However, the results of dedicated studies on such materials havenot yet been reported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present inventors have made extensive efforts todevelop novel materials satisfying two requirements: excellent skinpenetration, and the maintenance or enhancement of synthesis ofphysiologically active materials in the skin. As a result, the presentinventors have developed a skin-penetrating peptide, which can be usedas a carrier for transdermal delivery of drugs and, at the same time,can remain in the skin, and have found that a fusion protein comprisingthe skin-penetrating peptide and a physiologically active protein hasexcellent skin penetration ability while maintaining or enhancing thesynthesis of physiologically active materials, such as collagen,elastin, laminin and HAS2, in the skin, thereby completing the presentinvention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fusion proteincomprising a skin-penetrating peptide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a polynucleotideencoding the fusion protein, an expression vector comprising thepolynucleotide, and a transformant comprising the expression vector.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method forpreparing a fusion protein comprising a skin-penetrating peptide, themethod comprising the steps of: (a) culturing the transformant to obtaina culture product; and (b) recovering the fusion protein from theculture product.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition for improving skin conditions, which comprises the fusionprotein as an active ingredient, and a method for improving skinconditions, which comprises transdermally administering the composition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apharmaceutical composition for external skin use, which comprises thefusion protein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventors have conducted various studies to develop a novelmaterial that has excellent skin penetration and skin retentionproperties while maintaining or enhancing the synthesis ofphysiologically active substances. During such studies, the presentinventors have conducted a phage display consisting of a combination ofelution test methods using a phage library and a transdermal agent, andas a result, have discovered a novel skin-penetrating peptiderepresented by the amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 1. In addition, the presentinventors have fused the discovered skin-penetrating peptide withvarious physiologically active materials such as growth factors andhormones and screened fusion proteins showing excellent skin penetrationability and high levels of synthesis of physiologically activematerials, and as a result, have found that a fusion protein comprisinga physiologically active protein, such as a hormone or a cytokine, fusedto the skin-penetrating peptide, has excellent skin penetration andretention properties while maintaining or enhancing the expressionlevels of physiologically active materials by the physiologically activeprotein.

Therefore, the fusion protein can be used as an active ingredient infunctional cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions forexternal skin use.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a fusion proteincomprising a skin-penetrating peptide represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

As used herein, the term “skin-penetrating” or “skin penetration” refersto the ability of the peptide to penetrate the skin, and the term“skin-penetrating peptide” refers to a peptide that has a skinpenetration ability or the effect of enhancing the same.

As used herein, the term “skin retention” refers to the ability of apeptide that penetrated the skin to bind to skin tissue to remain in theskin without being delivered to the circulatory system through skintissue. Pharmaceutical formulations or cosmetic formulations that targetskin tissue preferably use a carrier that has an excellent property ofremaining in skin tissue so that the component bound to the peptide canact on skin tissue or skin cells. The peptide of the present inventionis excellent not only in terms of skin penetration, but also in terms ofskin retention, and thus can be used as a carrier for a pharmaceuticalor cosmetic formulation that targets skin tissue.

In the present invention, the skin-penetrating peptide may be a peptidehaving excellent skin penetration and skin retention properties,discovered by performing a phage display method consisting of acombination of elution test methods using a phage library and atransdermal agent. Preferably, it may be a peptide represented by aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Preferably, the fusion protein may comprise the skin-penetrating peptideand a physiologically active protein.

As used herein, the term “physiologically active protein” refers to allproteins that are used for therapeutic effects.

The term “physiologically active protein” in the present inventioncollectively refers to proteins that regulate biological functions(physiological functions). The term is interchangeable with the term“physiologically active peptide”. The physiologically active proteinthat is used in the present invention may be any protein that may beused to treat the skin. In addition, any derivative of thephysiologically active protein also falls within the scope of thephysiologically active peptide of the present invention, as long as ithas substantially the same or enhanced function, structure, activity orstability compared to a wild-type protein.

More preferably, the physiologically active protein may be a hormone ora cytokine.

As used herein, the term “hormone” collectively refers tophysiologically active proteins that are produced in, for example, theendocrine organ of the body. The hormone can be delivered to variousorgans in vivo through blood vessels to perform its function. Generally,the hormone can be involved in metabolism, reproduction, cellproliferation and the like, and can be synthesized in vivo or can bechemically synthesized.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hormone may be a humangrowth hormone.

As used herein, the term “human growth hormone (hGH)” refers to aprotein hormone that is secreted from the anterior pituitary. The humangrowth hormone functions to stimulate the differentiation of growthplate chondrocytes to promote growth. If the in vivo synthesis andsecretion of the growth hormone is deficient, short stature, an increasein the risk of cardiovascular diseases, a decrease in muscle and bonedensity, etc., may occur. Preferably, the human growth hormone (hGH) maybe a peptide represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

As used herein, the term “cytokine” collectively refers tophysiologically active proteins that are secreted from cells. Thecytokine selected from cells functions to regulate the physiologicalactivity of other cells.

Preferably, the cytokine may be a growth factor.

As used herein, the term “growth factor” collectively refers tomaterials required for the proliferation of cells and the proliferationand growth of organisms, including polypeptides functioning to promotethe division, growth and differentiation of cells. The kinds andfunctions of growth factors are diverse, and growth factors are alsoknown to be involved in cell signaling. Thus, the supply of this growthfactor to the skin can assist in the regeneration of the skin andpromote the growth of skin cells. However, there have been problems inthat this growth factor is difficult to penetrate into skin due to thedefense mechanisms of skin and due to the fact that it binds toreceptors on the skin surface so that it is rapidly internalized anddegraded, and thus cannot remain on the skin surface for a long periodof time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the growth factor may beepithelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-b subunit, orbasic fibroblast growth factor.

As used herein, the term “epidermal growth factor (EGF)” is apolypeptide, also called as urogastrone, which comprises 53 amino acidsand 3 disulfide bonds and has a molecular weight of 6045 Da. It is knownthat the epidermal growth factor mainly functions to stimulate theregeneration and differentiation of intestinal mucosa, corneal tissueand lung tissue, thereby promoting epidermal proliferation, blood vesselformation and wound healing and inhibiting gastric acid secretion(Senderoff, et al., Aqueous stability of human epidermal growth factor,Pharm. Res., 11, 1-48 (1994), Carpenter et al., Epidermal growth factor(EGF). Annu. Rev. Biochem. 48, 193-216 (1979)). Due to such functions,EGF has been developed and widely used as a wound healing treatment, andin recent years, EGF has been demonstrated to have wrinkle reduction oranti-aging effects, and thus has received attention as a functionalcosmetic base material (Brown, G. L, U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,544).

As used herein, the term “platelet-derived growth factor subunit-b(PDGFb)” refers to a protein which belongs to the platelet-derivedgrowth factor (PDGF) family, is contained in blood platelets and has asize of about 14 kDa. PDGF present in platelets is divided into subunitA having a size of about 18 kDa and subunit B as described. It is knownthat these subunits form the homodimer PDGF-AA or PDGF-BB or theheterodimer PDGF-AB by a disulfide bond.

As used herein, the term “basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)” is alsocalled “FGF2” or “FGF-13”, which is a double helical peptide having asize of about 18 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.0 and showing thecapability to bind to heparin. It is known that bFGF is mostly producedin the vascular epithelial cells and epidermal cells of organs, isstored in a state bound to the extracellular matrix, and binds to basicfibroblast growth factor receptors in cells to exhibit variousfunctions, including angiogenesis, cell proliferation promotion, anddifferentiation induction.

In the present invention, the amino acid sequences of growth factorssuch as hGH, EGF, PDGFb and bFGF are not specifically limited, as longas they show the effect of maintaining or enhancing the synthesis ofcollagen, elastin, laminin and/or HAS2. In the present invention, thefull-length amino acid sequence of the growth factor, a mutated aminoacid sequence thereof, or a fragment thereof may be used. Information onthe specific amino acid sequences of the growth factors and thenucleotide sequences of genes encoding the same are available from knowndatabases such as the NCBI GenBank (GenBank Accession No. AAA35891.1,AAS83395.1, AAH92277.1, NP_(—)002599, NP_(—)035187, NP_(—)001997,NP_(—)032032, etc.).

Preferably, the EGF may be a peptide represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, the PDGFb may be a peptide represented by theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and the bFGF may be a peptiderepresented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.

As used herein, the term “fusion protein” refers to a peptideartificially synthesized so that the skin-penetrating peptide is boundto another protein or peptide. Preferably, the fusion peptide may besynthesized so that the skin-penetrating peptide is bound to aphysiologically active peptide.

In the fusion protein according to the present invention, theskin-penetrating peptide may be linked directly or via a linker to theN-terminus of the physiologically active protein. The linker is notspecifically limited, as long as it shows the effect of enhancing theactivity of the esterase fusion protein. Preferably, the linker that isused in the present invention may be one or more selected from amongamino acids such as glycine, alanine, leucine, iso-leucine, proline,serine, threonine, aspargine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine,glutamic acid, lysine, and argininic acid. More preferably, the linkermay be one or more amino acids selected from among valine, leucine,aspartic acid, glycine, alanine, proline and the like. Most preferably,the linker may be 1 to 5 amino acids selected from among glycine,valine, leucine, aspartic acid and the like, in view of the ease ofgenetic engineering. In an example of the present invention, a fusionprotein was prepared by linking the C-terminus of the skin-penetratingpeptide to the N-terminus of a physiologically active protein by alinker consisting of two amino acids (GG). If the fusion proteincomprises hGH as a physiologically active protein, it may comprise apeptide represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, and ifthe physiologically active protein is EGF, the fusion protein maycomprise a peptide represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In addition, if the physiologically active protein is PDGFb, thefusion protein may comprise a peptide represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, and if the physiologically active protein isbFGF, the fusion protein may comprise a peptide represented by the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9.

The fusion protein may include a polypeptide having a sequence, one ormore amino acid residues of which differ from those of the wild-typeamino acid sequence of each domain included therein. Amino acidsubstitutions that do not generally alter the specific activity thereofare known in the art. The most commonly occurring exchanges are Ala/Ser,Val/Ile, Asp/Glu, Thr/Ser, Ala/Gly, Ala/Thr, Ser/Asn, Ala/Val, Ser/Gly,Thy/Phe, Ala/Pro, Lys/Arg, Asp/Asn, Leu/Ile, Leu/Val, Ala/Glu, Asp/Gly.In addition, the fusion protein may include a protein, which hasincreased stability against heat, changes in pH or the like or increasedactivity by the mutation or modification of amino acids.

The fusion protein or a polypeptide encoding the fusion protein can beprepared by a chemical peptide synthesis method known in the art.Alternatively, it can be prepared by amplifying a gene encoding thefusion protein by PCR or synthesizing the gene according to a knownmethod, and then cloning the gene into an expression vector, followed byexpression.

Thus, the present invention may provide a fusion protein having any oneamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 to SEQ ID NO: 9, in which theskin-penetrating peptide represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 1 is linked to the N-terminus of any one amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 2 to SEQ ID NO: 5.

In an example of the present invention, a novel skin-penetrating peptiderepresented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was discovered byperforming a phage display consisting of a combination of elution testmethods using a phage library and a transdermal agent. The discoveredskin-penetrating peptide was bound to (i) a physiologically activepeptide (hGH) represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 toprepare a fusion protein (T-hGH) represented by the amino acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 6 and (ii) a physiologically active protein (EGF)represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 to prepare afusion protein (T-EGF) represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 7. In addition, the skin-penetrating peptide was bound to (iii) aphysiologically active protein (PDGHb) represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 to prepare a fusion protein (T-PDGFb)represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 and (iv) aphysiologically active protein (PDGHb) represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 to prepare a fusion protein (bFGF) representedby the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9. The activities of theprepared fusion proteins were compared with those of physiologicallyactive proteins which were not bound to the skin-penetrating peptide,and as a result, it was shown that the skin penetration and skinretention properties of the fusion proteins were significantly improved(Tables 3-4, 7-8, 11-12 and 15-16) while the expression levels ofcollagen, elastin, laminin and/or HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) by thefusion proteins were maintained at levels similar to those of thephysiologically active proteins (Tables 1-2, 5-6, 9-10 and 13-14).

Accordingly, the fusion protein of the present invention, whichcomprises the skin-penetrating peptide bound to a physiologically activeprotein, can significantly enhance the skin penetration and retention ofthe physiologically active protein while maintaining the effect of thephysiologically active protein that increases the synthesis ofphysiologically active substances, such as collagen, elastin, lamininand/or HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2), which show useful effects such asskin wrinkle reduction. Thus, the fusion protein of the presentinvention is useful as an active ingredient in functional cosmeticcompositions and pharmaceutical compositions for external skin use.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a polynucleotideencoding the above-described fusion protein, a fusion protein expressionvector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformant comprising theexpression vector, and a method of preparing the fusion protein usingthe transformant.

The polynucleotide can be modified at one or more nucleotides bysubstitution, deletion, insertion or a combination thereof. Thenucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide can be chemically synthesizedby a synthesis method widely known in the art, for example, a methoddescribed in Engels and Uhlmann, Angew Chem IntEd Engl., 37:73-127,1988. Examples of the synthesis method include triester, phosphite,phosphoramidite and H-phosphonate methods, PCR and other autoprimermethods as well as oligonucleotide synthesis on solid supports.

As used herein, the term “expression vector” means a recombinant vectorcapable of expressing a target peptide in a host cell, and refers to agenetic construct including essential regulatory elements operablylinked to express a gene insert. The expression vector includesexpression regulatory sequences such as an initiation codon, a stopcodon, a promoter, an operator and the like. The initiation and stopcodons are generally considered as part of a nucleotide sequenceencoding the polypeptide and are necessary to be functional in anindividual to whom a genetic construct has been administered, and mustbe in frame with the coding sequence. The promoter of the vector may beconstitutive or inducible.

The term “operably linked”, as used herein, refers to a functionallinkage between a nucleic acid expression control sequence and a secondnucleic acid sequence coding for a target protein or RNA in such amanner as to allow general functions. For example, a promoter may beoperably linked with a nucleic acid sequence coding for a protein or RNAto influence the expression of the coding sequence. The operable linkageto an expression vector may be prepared using a genetic recombinanttechnique well known in the art, and site-specific DNA cleavage andligation may be carried out using enzymes generally known in the art.

Also, the expression vector may include signal sequences for dischargeof the fusion polypeptide in order to promote the isolation of proteinfrom a cell culture. Specific initiation signals may also be requiredfor efficient translation of nucleic acid sequences. These signalsinclude the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In some cases,exogenous translational control signals, including the ATG initiationcodon, should be provided. These exogenous translational control signalsand initiation codons can be of a variety of origins, both natural andsynthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusionof appropriate transcription enhancer elements and transcriptionterminators.

In addition, the expression vector may further comprise a protein tagthat may optionally be removed using endopeptidase in order tofacilitate the detection of the fusion protein.

As used herein, the term “tag” refers to a molecule which exhibits aquantifiable activity or characteristic. Examples of the tag may includefluorescent molecules including chemical fluorescers such asfluorescein, and polypeptide fluorescers such as green fluorescentprotein (GFP) and related proteins, and epitope tags such as a Myc tag,a Flag tag, a His tag, a leucine tag, an IgG tag, and a streptavidintag. If an epitope tag is used, it is a peptide tag having 6 or moreamino acid residues, and preferably about 8 to 50 amino acid residues.

In the present invention, the expression vector may comprise anucleotide sequence encoding the fusion protein of the presentinvention. The vector that is used in the present invention is notspecifically limited, as long as it makes it possible to prepare thefusion protein of the present invention. Preferably, the vector may beplasmid DNA or phage DNA. More preferably, the vector may be acommercial plasmid (pUC18, pBAD, pIDTSAMRT-AMP, etc.), an E.coli-derived plasmid (pYG601BR322, pBR325, pUC118, pUC119, etc.), aBacillus subtilis-derived plasmid (pUB110, pTP5, etc.), a yeast-derivedplasmid (YEp13, YEp24, YCp50, etc.), a phage DNA (Charon4A, Charon21A,EMBL3, EMBL4, λgt10, λgt11, λZAP, etc.), an animal virus vector(retrovirus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, etc.), an insect virus(baculovirus, etc.), or the like. For the expression vector, a host cellmost suitable for the intended use is preferably selected and used,because the expression level and modification of protein vary dependingon the kind of host cell.

The transformant according to the present invention is constructed bythe expression vector of the present invention into a host and can beused to express the polynucleotide contained in the expression vector tothereby prepare the fusion protein of the present invention. Thetransformation can be performed by various methods. Any transformationmethod may be used in the present invention, as long as it can preparethe fusion protein of the present invention that shows the effect ofincreasing various cell activities to high levels. Examples of thetransformation method include, but are not limited to, CaCl₂precipitation, the Hanahan method using DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) as areducing agent on the basis of the CaCl₂ precipitation, electroporation,calcium phosphate precipitation, plasma fusion, agitation using siliconcarbide fiber, agrobacteria-mediated transformation, PEG-mediatedtransformation, and PEG-, dextran sulfate-, lipofectamine- ordesiccation/inhibition-mediated transformation. Also, the host that isused in the construction of the transformant is not specificallylimited, as long as it can prepare the fusion protein of the presentinvention. Examples of the host include, but are not limited to,bacterial cells such as E. coli, Streptomyces and Salmonella typhimuriumcells; yeast cells suhc as Saccharomyces cerevisiae; fungal cells suchas Pichia pastoris; insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and SpodopteraSf9 cells; animal cells such as CHO, COS, NSO, 293, and Bowes melanomacells; and plant cells.

The transformant can also be used in the method of preparing the fusionprotein of the present invention. Specifically, the method of preparingthe fusion protein of the present invention may comprise the steps of:(a) culturing the transformant to obtain a culture product; and (b)recovering the fusion protein of the present invention from the cultureproduct.

As used herein, the term “culturing” means a method of allowing amicroorganism to grow under artificially control environmentalconditions. In the present invention, the method of culturing thetransformant can be performed using a method widely known in the art.Specifically, the culturing can be performed by a batch process, afed-batch process or a fed batch or a continuous process such as arepeated fed batch process. In addition, any culturing process may beused in the present invention, as long as it can express the fusionprotein of the present invention.

The medium that is used in the culturing contains suitable carbonsources, nitrogen sources, amino acids, vitamins and the like and shouldsatisfy the requirements of a specific strain in a suitable manner whileadjusting temperature, pH and the like under aerobic conditions. Carbonsources that may be used in the present invention include, in additionto mixed sugars of glucose and xylose as a main carbon source, sugarsand carbohydrates such as sucrose, lactose, fructose, maltose, starchand cellulose, oils and fats such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, castoroil and coconut oil, fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid andlinoleic acid, alcohols such as glycerol and ethanol, and organic acidssuch as acetic acid. These substances may be used alone or incombination. Nitrogen sources that may be used in the present inventioninclude inorganic nitrogen sources such as ammonia, ammonium sulfate,ammonium chloride, ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, and ammoniumnitrate; amino acids such as glutamic acid, methionine and glutamine;and organic nitrogen sources such as peptone, NZ-amine, corn steepliquor, meat extract, yeast extract, casein hydrolysate, fish meal orits digested product, defatted soybean cake or its digested product,etc. These nitrogen sources may be used alone or in combination. Themedium may contain, as phosphorus sources, potassium phosphatemonobasic, potassium phosphate dibasic and correspondingsodium-containing salts. Phosphorus sources that may be used in thepresent invention include potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassiumhydrogen phosphate and corresponding sodium-containing salts. Inaddition, inorganic compounds that may be used in the present inventioninclude sodium chloride, calcium chloride, iron chloride, magnesiumsulfate, iron sulfate, manganese sulfate and calcium carbonate. Inaddition to the above materials, essential growth materials such asamino acids and vitamins may be used in the present invention.

Further, the culture medium may contain suitable precursors. Theabove-described materials may be added to the medium in a batch,fed-batch or continuous manner, but are not limited thereto. The pH ofthe medium can be adjusted using basic compounds such as sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide or ammonia, or acidic compounds such asphosphoric acid or sulfuric acid.

In addition, the formation of bubbles can be inhibited by using anantiforming agent such as fatty acid polyglycol ester. In order tomaintain an aerobic state, oxygen or oxygen-containing gas (e.g. air)can be injected. The temperature of culture product is generally 27 to37° C., preferably 30 to 35° C. Culture is continued until the desiredlevel of the fusion protein production will be obtained. This isachieved within 10 to 100 hours.

In addition, the step of recovering the fusion protein from the cultureproduct may be performed by a method known in the art. The recoveringmethod is not specifically limited, as long as it can recover the fusionprotein of the present invention. Preferred examples of the recoveringmethod include centrifugation, filtration, extraction, spray, drying,evaporation, precipitation, crystallization, electrophoresis, fractionaldissolution (e.g., ammonium sulfate precipitation), chromatography(e.g., ion exchange, affinity, hydrophobic and size exclusion) and thelike.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a compositionfor improving skin conditions, which comprises the fusion protein as anactive ingredient, and a method for improving skin conditions, whichcomprises transdermally administering the composition.

As described above, the fusion protein according to the presentinvention can significantly enhance the skin penetration and skinretention of physiologically active proteins such as hGF, EGF, PDGFb andbFGF while maintaining or enhancing the production of collagen, elastin,laminin and/or HAS2 by the physiologically active proteins. Thus, thefusion protein of the present invention can be used as an activeingredient in a cosmetic composition which can improve skin conditions.

As used herein, the term “improving skin conditions” generally means theprocess or effect of treating, alleviating or relieving skin damagecaused by intrinsic or extrinsic factors. For the purpose of the presentinvention, it can be understood that the term “improving skinconditions” means effects such as the promotion of synthesis ofcollagen, elastin, laminin and/or HAS2 in skin cells, and thus wrinklereduction, skin moisturization, skin whitening, skin elasticitymaintenance and/or enhancement, wound healing, anti-aging, dermatitisrelief or alleviation, which can be induced by applying the fusionprotein of the present invention to the skin.

The fusion protein is preferably contained in an amount of 0.0001-50 wt% based on the total eight of the cosmetic composition. If the contentof the fusion protein is less than 0.0001 wt % based on the total weightof the cosmetic composition, it cannot show the effect of improving skinconditions, and if the content of the fusion protein is more than 50 wt%, it will make the formulation unstable.

Meanwhile, the cosmetic composition according to the present inventionmay further comprise an additive. The additive may be one or moreselected from among, for example, oil, water, a surfactant, amoisturizing agent, a lower alcohol, a sterilizing agent, anantioxidant, a thickener, a chelating agent, a pigment, a preservativeand a fragrance, but is not limited thereto. Such additives may be usedin suitable amounts selected to suit the desired purpose.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a functionalcosmetic product comprising the composition for improving skinconditions.

As used herein, the terms “functional cosmetic product”, “cosmedicalproduct” or “cosmeceutical” refer to a cosmetic product that has thespecial therapeutic effects of medical drugs, and thus shows specialfunctionalities such as physiologically active effects, unlike generalcosmetic products. The terms include a product that assists in skinwhitening, a product that assists in skin wrinkle reduction, and acosmetic product that assists in tanning the skin or protecting the skinfrom UV rays.

A suitable carrier that is used in the manufacture of general skincosmetic products may be added to the cosmetic composition of thepresent invention to manufacture a functional cosmetic product. Thecarrier that is used in the present invention is not specificallylimited, but is preferably one or a mixture of two or more selected fromamong oil, water, a surfactant, a moisturizing agent, a lower alcohol, athickener, a chelating agent, a pigment, a preservative, a fragrance andthe like.

The functional cosmetic product of the present invention shows theeffect of improving skin conditions by promoting the synthesis ofcollagen, elastin, laminin and/or HAS2. The formulation of thefunctional cosmetic product is not specifically limited, but may be, forexample, a solution, emulsion, suspension, paste, cream, lotion, gel,powder, spray, surfactant-containing cleansing cake, oil, soap, liquidcleanser, bath soak, foundation, makeup base, essence, foam, pack, sunscreen cream or sun oil formulation. Preferably, the formulation may bea skin external ointment, skin softener, skin lotion, nourishing cream,massage cream, essence, pack, emulsion or oil gel formulation. A carrierfor the functional cosmetic product may be selected depending on theformulation of the functional cosmetic product.

For example, if the formulation of the cosmetic product is an ointment,paste, cream or gel formulation, it may comprise, as a carriercomponent, one or a mixture of two or more selected from among wax,paraffin, starch, tragacanth gum, cellulose derivatives, polyethyleneglycol, silicone, bentonite, silica, talc, zinc oxide and the like; ifthe formulation is a powder or spray formulation, it may comprise, as acarrier component, one or a mixture of two or more selected from amonglactose, talc, silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicate, polyamidepowder, chlorofluorohydrocarbon, propane/butane, dimethyl ether and thelike; if the formulation is a solution or emulsion formulation, it maycomprise, as a carrier component, one or a mixture of two or moreselected from among water, ethanol, isopropanol, ethyl carbonate, ethylacetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylglycol oil, cotton seed oil, peanut oil, corn germ oil, olive oil,castor oil, sesame oil, glycerol, aliphatic ester, polyethylene glycol,and fatty acid ester of sorbitan; if the formulation is a suspension, itmay comprise, as a carrier component, one or a mixture of two or moreselected from among water, ethanol, propylene glycol, ethoxylatedisostearyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene sorbitol ester, polyoxyethylenesorbitan ester, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum methahydroxide,bentonite, agar, tragacanth gum and the like; if the formulation is acosmetic soap, it may comprise, as a carrier component, one or a mixtureof two or more selected from among alkali metal salts of fatty acids,hemiester salts of fatty acids, fatty acid protein hydrolysate,isethionate, lanolin derivatives, aliphatic alcohols, vegetable oils,glycerol, sugars and the like.

In specific embodiments, a skin external ointment may contain, inaddition to the fusion protein of the present invention, 50-97 wt % ofVaseline and 0.1-5 wt % of polyoxyethyleneoleyl-ether phosphate; a skinsoftener may contain, in addition to the fusion protein of the presentinvention, 1-10 wt % of a polyhydric alcohol such as propylene glycol orglycerin and 0.05-2 wt % of a surfactant such as polyethyleneoleyletheror polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; skin lotion or nourishingcream may contain, in addition to the fusion protein of the presentinvention, 5-20 wt % of oils such as squalane, Vaseline oroctyldodecanol and 3-15 wt % of wax components such as cetanol, stearylalcohol or beeswax; essence may contain, in addition to the fusionprotein of the present invention, 5-30 wt % of a polyhydric alcohol suchas glycerin or propylene glycol; massage cream may contain, in additionto the fusion protein of the present invention, 30-70 wt % of liquidparaffin, Vaseline or isononyl isononanoate; a pack may be prepared as apeel-off pack containing, in addition to the fusion protein of thepresent invention, 5-20 wt % of polyvinyl alcohol, or a wash-off packcontaining, in addition to a general emulsion-type cosmetic composition,5-30 wt % of kaolin, talc, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition for external skin use, which comprises the fusion protein ofthe present invention. As is known in the art, the human growth hormonefunctions to stimulate the differentiation of growth plate chondrocytesto promote growth, and if the in vivo synthesis and secretion of thegrowth hormone is deficient, short stature, an increase in the risk ofcardiovascular diseases, decreases in muscle and bone densities, etc.,may occur. Because it was found that the fusion protein according to thepresent invention can maintain or enhance the effect of the human growthfactor (hGH), the fusion protein can improve the effects of hGH,including the promotion of cell proliferation, wound healing, thetreatment of neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic neurologic disease,the treatment of nerve injury disease, and the treatment of arthritis.Thus, the fusion protein of the present invention may be used as anactive ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition for external skin usewhich shows the effects of treating or alleviating the above diseases orconditions.

It is known that epidermal growth factor mainly functions to stimulatethe regeneration and differentiation of intestinal mucosa, cornealtissue and lung tissue, thereby promoting epidermal proliferation, bloodvessel formation and would healing and inhibiting gastric acidsecretion. Because it was found that the fusion protein of the presentinvention can maintain or enhance the effects of the EGF, the fusionprotein can improve the effects of EFG on the treatment of skin aging,atopy, dermatitis, corneal disease stomach ulcer, and thus can be usedas an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition for externalskin use which shows the effects of treating or alleviating the abovediseases or conditions.

It is known that platelet-derived growth factor-b subunit shows effectson the promotion of cell proliferation, wounding healing and thetreatment of neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic neurologic disease,nerve injury disease, arthritis and the like. It was found that thefusion protein of the present invention can improve the effects ofPDGFb. Accordingly, the fusion protein can improve the effects of PDGFbon the promotion of cell proliferation, wounding healing and thetreatment of neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic neurologic disease,nerve injury disease, arthritis and the like, and thus can be used as anactive ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition for external skin usewhich shows the effects of treating or alleviating the above diseases orconditions.

It is known that basic fibroblast growth factor shows effects on thetreatment of skin aging, skin scars and skin trauma, the improvement ofskin conditions, the treatment of periodontal disease, and the promotionof cell proliferation, vascular regeneration and endothelial cellgrowth, etc. It was found that the fusion protein of the presentinvention can improve the effects of bFGF. Accordingly, the fusionprotein can improve the effects of bFGF on the treatment of skin aging,skin scar and skin trauma, the improvement of skin conditions, thetreatment of periodontal disease, and the promotion of cellproliferation, vascular regeneration and endothelial cell growth, etc.,and thus can be used as an active ingredient in a pharmaceuticalcomposition for external skin use which shows the effects of treating oralleviating the above diseases or conditions.

As used herein, term “composition for external skin application” refersto solid, semi-solid or liquid medicines for external use, prepared byadding an active ingredient to various bases such as oils, Vaseline,lanoline and glycerol so that it can be easily applied to the skin. Theformulation of the composition for external skin use is not specificallylimited, but is preferably a powder, gel, ointment, cream, liquid oraerosol formulation.

For the purpose of the present invention, the composition for externalskin use can be understood to be a preparation that comprises the fusionprotein of the present invention and a suitable base as a carrier forexternal skin use, but is not limited thereto.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may furthercontain a suitable carrier, excipient and diluent which is commonly usedin the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. Herein, the contentof the fusion protein of the composition is not specifically limited,but may be 0.01-50.0 wt %, and preferably 5-20 wt %, based on the totalweight of the composition.

The pharmaceutical composition may have a formulation selected from thegroup consisting of any one or more of tablets, pills, powders,granules, capsules, suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups, sterileaqueous solutions, non-aqueous solvents, suspending agents, freeze-driedpreparations, and suppositories and may be formulated for oral orparenteral administration. The composition of the present invention maybe formulated with commonly used diluents or excipients, such asfillers, extenders, binders, wetting agents, disintegrants, surfactants,etc. Solid formulations for oral administration include tablets, pills,powders, granules, capsules and the like, and such solid formulationscomprise, in addition to the composition, at least one excipient, forexample, starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, lactose or gelatin. Inaddition to simple excipients, lubricants such as magnesium stearate ortalc may also be used. Liquid formulations for oral administrationinclude suspensions, solutions, emulsions, and syrup, and may containvarious excipients, for example, wetting agents, flavoring agents,aromatics and preservatives, in addition to water and liquid paraffin,which are frequently used simple diluents. Formulations for parenteraladministration include sterilized aqueous solutions, non-aqueoussolutions, suspensions, emulsions, freeze-dried preparations, andsuppositories. As non-aqueous solvents or suspending agents, propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, plant oils such as olive oil, injectableesters such as ethyl oleate, and the like can be used. As the base ofthe suppositories, witepsol, Macrogol, Tween 61, cacao butter, laurinfat, glycerogelatin and the like can be used.

The composition of the present invention may be administered in apharmaceutically effective amount.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically effective amount” refers toan amount sufficient to treat diseases, at a reasonable benefit/riskratio applicable to any medical treatment. The effective dosage level ofthe composition may be determined depending on the subject's type, thedisease severity, the subject's age and sex, the type of infected virus,the activity of the drug, sensitivity to the drug, the time ofadministration, the route of administration, excretion rate, theduration of treatment, drugs used in combination with the composition,and other factors known in the medical field. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of the present invention may be administered individually orin combination with other therapeutic agents, and may be administeredsequentially or simultaneously with conventional therapeutic agents. Thecomposition can be administered in a single or multiple dosage form. Itis important to administer the composition in the minimum amount thatcan exhibit the maximum effect without causing side effects, in view ofall the above-described factors, and this amount can be easilydetermined by a person skilled in the art.

The preferred dose of the composition of the present invention variesdepending on the patient's sex and weight, the severity of the disease,the type of drug, and the route and period of administration. Thesuitable total daily dose can be can be determined by the physician, butmay generally be 0.001-1000 mg/kg, preferably 0.05 to 200 mg/kg, andmore preferably 0.1 to 100 mg/kg, which can be administered once a dayor in divided doses. A subject to which the composition is to beadministered is not specifically limited. Examples of the subjectinclude non-human animals such as monkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, guineapigs, rats, mice, cattle, sheep, pigs or goats, and humans. Thecomposition of the present invention may be administered by any methodknown in the art. For example, the composition may be administeredtransdermally by topical application, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detailwith reference to examples. It is to be understood, however, that theseexamples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 Selection of Skin-Penetrating Peptide

In order to select a skin-penetrating peptide, a phage display methodconsisting of a combination of elution test methods using a phagelibrary and a transdermal agent was performed.

First, 10⁹ phages derived from Ph.D-12 phage library kit (New EnglandBiolab) were added to 500 μl of 1% BSA-containing TBS (50 mM Tris pH7.5, 150 mM NaCl) solution to prepare a phage solution.

Then, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) was placedbetween the upper and lower ends of Franz glass cell (Standard diameter:9 mm, Receiver: 5 ml, Permgear), and the phage solution was addedthereto and allowed to react for 16 hours. Then, the phages thatpenetrate the porcine skin to reach a receiver at the lower end werecollected and amplified.

The amplification was performed using E. coli ER2738 (New EnglandBiolab) as a host cell. Specifically, 5 ml and of the phage solution wasadded to an E. coli ER2738 strain shake-cultured in 25 ml and of LBmedium and cultured for 4 hours. Then, the culture was centrifuged at8,000 G, and the supernatant containing the phage fraction wascollected. The supernatant was treated and reacted with 6 ml and ofprecipitation buffer (20% PEG6000, 2.5M NaCl) to precipitate the phages,and the reaction solution was centrifuged at 8,000 G to precipitate thephages. The precipitate was suspended in TBS solution to obtain anamplified phage solution.

The above-described process of adding phages to the porcine skin,collecting the phages that penetrated the skin and amplifying thecollected phages was defined as round 1. The phages amplified in round 1were subjected to round 2, whereby phages showing good skin penetrationwere selected in a competitive manner. A total of 3 rounds wereperformed.

In order to determine the sequence of a peptide contained in the phageobtained by performing the above-described 3 rounds, TBS solutioncontaining the phage was added to an E. coli ER2738 strain andsuspended, and TOP agar was added to and mixed with the suspension, andthe mixture was added to LB/X-gal/IPTG plate medium and solidified. Thesolidified medium was incubated for 16 hours, and then a blue colony wasselected. The strain derived from the selected colony was cultured, andDNA was collected therefrom. Then, the nucleotide sequence of the DNAderived from the phage was analyzed, thereby determining the amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) of the peptide showing the property ofpenetrating the porcine skin.

Example 2 Preparation of Fusion Protein Example 2-1 Preparation ofFusion Protein Comprising Skin-Penetrating Peptide and Human GrowthHormone (hGH)

The C-terminus of the skin-penetrating peptide having the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, obtained in Example 1, was linked to theN-terminus of a human growth hormone (hGH) having the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 by a linker consisting of two amino acids (GG),thereby preparing the fusion protein T-hGH (SEQ ID NO: 6).

Specifically, a polynucleotide encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 1 and a polynucleotide encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 2 were synthesized and linked to each other by a nucleotide sequenceencoding two amino acids (GG), thereby constructing a polynucleotidesequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. Meanwhile, apolynucleotide encoding the cleavage site DDDDK (Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys)that can be cleaved by enterokinase was synthesized and linked to the5′-terminal end of the above-constructed polynucleotide encoding theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, thereby obtaining a finalpolynucleotide encoding the fusion protein composed of the enterokinasecleavage site, the skin-penetrating peptide and the hGH. The obtainedpolynucleotide was introduced into a GST expression vector, therebyconstructing an expression vector.

The constructed expression vector was introduced into E. coli to obtaina transformant. The obtained transformant was lysed to obtain a celllysate. The obtained cell lysate was applied to a GST affinity column torecover a fusion protein composed of the GST, the enterokinase cleavagesite, the skin-penetrating peptide and the hGH. The recovered fusionprotein was treated with enterokinase to remove the GST portion, andthen the remaining fusion protein was subjected to GPC columnchromatography, thereby preparing the fusion protein T-hGH (SEQ ID NO:6) composed of the skin-penetrating peptide and the hGH.

Example 2-2 Preparation of Fusion Protein Comprising Skin-PenetratingPeptide and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)

In the same manner as described in Example 2-1 above, the C-terminus ofthe skin-penetrating peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 1, obtained in Example 1, was linked to the N-terminus of anepidermal growth factor (EGF) having the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 3 by a linker consisting of two amino acids (GG), thereby preparingthe fusion protein T-EGF (SEQ ID NO: 7).

Example 2-3 Preparation of Fusion Protein Comprising Skin-PenetratingPeptide and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-b Subunit

In the same manner as described in Example 2-1 above, the C-terminus ofthe skin-penetrating peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 1, obtained in Example 1, was linked to the N-terminus of aplatelet-derived growth factor-b subunit (PDGFb) having the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 by a linker consisting of two amino acids (GG),thereby preparing the fusion protein T-PDGFb (SEQ ID NO: 8).

Example 2-4 Preparation of Fusion Protein Comprising Skin-PenetratingPeptide and Fibroblast Growth Factor

In the same manner as described in Example 2-1 above, the C-terminus ofthe skin-penetrating peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO: 1, obtained in Example 1, was linked to the N-terminus of afibroblast growth factor having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5by a linker consisting of two amino acids (GG), thereby preparing thefusion protein T-bFGF (SEQ ID NO: 9).

Example 3 Verification of Effects of Fusion Proteins Example 3-1Verification of Effects of T-hGH Example 3-1-1 Verification of Effect onCollagen Expression

The effects of T-hGH (synthesized in Example 2-1) and hGH on theproduction of collagen and elastin were verified.

Specifically, fibroblasts were inoculated into a 6-well plate containingDMEM medium and were cultured for 24 hours to obtain a culture productshowing a saturation degree of 70-80%. Various concentrations (10, 100and 1000 ng/ml) of T-hGH or hGH were added to the culture product andfurther cultured for 16 hours. After completion of the culture, thecultured cells were washed with PBS, and total RNA was isolated from thecells using an RNAeasy kit. The isolated total RNA was subjected toreverse transcription (RT)-PCR to obtain cDNA, and the obtained cDNA wassubjected to real-time PCR, thereby quantitatively determining theexpression level of collagen. As a control group, fibroblasts culturedwithout treatment with T-hGH or hGH were used, and as an internalcontrol, GAP3DH mRNA was used (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 Effect of fusion protein on collagen expression TreatedConcentration of Expression protein protein level (%) Control — 100 ± 21hGH  10 ng/ml 118 ± 16  100 ng/ml 124 ± 25 1000 ng/ml 312 ± 31 T-hGH  10ng/ml  98 ± 23  100 ng/ml 150 ± 32 1000 ng/ml 290 ± 16

As can be seen in Table 1 above, when the cells were treated with hGH orT-hGH, the expression level of collagen in the cells increased comparedto that in the control group, and the expression level of collagen inthe cells treated with T-hGH was maintained at a level similar to thatin the cells treated with hGH. Particularly, at a protein concentrationof 100 ng/ml, the expression level of collagen was higher in theT-hGH-treated cells than in the hGH-treated cells.

Thus, it can be seen that, when the fusion protein of the presentinvention is used, collagen can be synthesized at a level similar to orhigher than when hGH is used alone.

Example 3-1-2 Verification of Effect on Elastin Expression

The effect of T-hGH or hGH on the expression of elastin was verified inthe same manner as described in Example 3-1-1, except that theexpression level of elastin in place of collagen was quantitativelyanalyzed (see Table 2).

TABLE 2 Effect of fusion protein on elastin expression TreatedConcentration Expression protein of protein level (%) Control — 100 ± 14hGH  10 ng/ml 112 ± 4   100 ng/ml 200 ± 11 1000 ng/ml 330 ± 23 T-hGH  10ng/ml  97 ± 16  100 ng/ml 190 ± 19 1000 ng/ml 318 ± 21

As can be seen in Table 2 above, when the cells were treated with hGH orT-hGH, the expression of elastin in the cells increased compared to thatin the control group, and the expression level of elastin in the cellstreated with T-hGH was maintained at a level similar to that in thecells treated with hGH.

Example 3-1-3 Verification of Skin Penetration

The skin penetration of the fusion protein was verified using Franzglass cell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. Then, 200 μg of hGH orT-hGH was added to the upper end of the cell and allowed to react for 16hours, after which the concentration of hGH and T-hGH at the lower endwas quantitatively analyzed using a human-hGH ELISA kit (DGH00, R&Dsystem), and the content of T-hGH relative to the content of hGH wascalculated as penetration rate (see Table 3).

TABLE 3 Skin penetration rate (%) of fusion protein Treated proteinPenetration rate (%) hGH 100 ± 23 T-hGH 490 ± 31

As can be seen in Table 3 above, the skin penetration rate of T-hGH wasabout 5 times higher than that of hGH.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin penetration rate of hGH.

Example 3-1-4 Verification of Skin Retention

The skin retention of the fusion protein was verified using Franz glasscell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end of theglass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to the lower end of theglass cell. 200 μg of each of hGH and T-hGH was added to the donorchamber of the Franz cell system containing the porcine skin, and theporcine skin tissue was disrupted and analyzed using an ELISA kit tomeasure the amount of hGH present in the porcine skin (see Table 4).

TABLE 4 Skin retention of fusion protein Treated protein Retention (%)hGH 100 ± 35 T-hGH 11000 ± 1300

As can be seen in Table 4 above, the skin retention of T-hGH was about110 times higher than that of hGH.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin retention rate of hGH.

Example 3-2 Verification of Effects of T-EGF Fusion Protein Example3-2-1 Verification of Effect on Expression of Laminin

The effects of T-EGH (synthesized in Example 2-2) and hGH on theproduction of laminin and HAS2 were verified.

Specifically, Hacat cells were inoculated into a 6-well plate containingDMEM medium and were cultured for 24 hours to obtain a culture productshowing a saturation degree of 70-80%. Next, the medium was replacedwith serum-free DMEM medium, and then various concentrations (10, 10 and100 ng/ml) of T-EGF or EGF were added to the culture product and furthercultured for 16 hours. After completion of the culture, the culturedcells were washed with PBS, and total RNA was isolated from the cellsusing an RNAeasy kit. The isolated total RNA was subjected to RT-PCR toobtain cDNA, and the obtained cDNA was subjected to real-time PCR,thereby quantitatively determining the expression level of laminin. As acontrol group, Hacat cells cultured without treatment with T-EGF or EGFwere used, and as an internal control, GAP3DH mRNA was used (see Table5).

TABLE 5 Effect of fusion on expression of laminin Treated Concentrationof protein protein Expression level (%) Control — 100 ± 13 EGF  1 ng/ml 98 ± 11  10 ng/ml 250 ± 25 100 ng/ml 520 ± 31 T-EGF  1 ng/ml 110 ± 19 10 ng/ml 270 ± 23 100 ng/ml 510 ± 32

As can be seen in Table 5 above, when the cells were treated with EGF orT-EGF, the expression level of laminin increased in aconcentration-dependent manner compared to that in the control. Also,the expression level of laminin in the T-EGF-treated cells wasmaintained at a level similar to or higher than that in the cellstreated with EGF.

Thus, it can be seen that, when the fusion protein of the presentinvention is used, laminin can be synthesized at a level similar to orhigher than when EGF is used alone.

Example 3-2-2 Verification of Effect on Expression of HAS2 (HyaluronanSynthase 2)

The effect of T-EGF or EGF on the expression of HAS2 was verified in thesame manner as described in Example 3-2-1, except that the expressionlevel of HAS2 in place of laminin was quantitatively analyzed (see Table6).

TABLE 6 Effect of fusion protein on expression of HAS2 TreatedConcentration of Expression level protein protein (%) Control — 100 ± 19EGF  1 ng/ml 110 ± 9   10 ng/ml 200 ± 14 100 ng/ml 550 ± 23 T-EGF  1ng/ml  90 ± 11  10 ng/ml 190 ± 19 100 ng/ml 580 ± 39

As can be seen in Table 6 above, when the cells treated with EGF orT-EGF, the expression level of HAS2 generally increased compared to thatin the control, like the case of laminin. Particularly, the expressionlevel of HAS2 in the T-EGF-treated cells was similar to or higher thanthat in the cells treated with EGF.

Example 3-2-3 Verification of Skin Penetration

The skin penetration of the fusion protein was verified using Franzglass cell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. Then, 200 μg of EGF orT-EGF was added to the upper end of the cell and allowed to react for 16hours, after which the concentration of hGH and T-hGH at the lower endwas quantitatively analyzed using a human-EGH ELISA kit (DGH00, R&Dsystem), and the content of T-EGF relative to the content of EGH wascalculated as permeation rate (see Table 7).

TABLE 7 Skin penetration of fusion protein Treated protein Penetrationrate (%) EGF 100 ± 13 T-EGF 280 ± 31

As can be seen in Table 7 above, the skin penetration rate of T-EGF wasabout 3 times higher than that of EGF.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin penetration rate of EGF.

Example 3-2-4 Verification of Skin Retention

The skin retention of the fusion protein was verified using Franz glasscell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end of theglass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to the lower end of theglass cell. 200 μg of each of conventional EGH and T-EGH was added tothe donor chamber of the Franz cell system containing the porcine skin,and the porcine skin tissue was disrupted and analyzed using an ELISAkit to measure the amount of EGH present in the porcine skin (see Table8).

TABLE 8 Skin retention of fusion protein Treated protein Retention (%)EGF 100 ± 25 T-EGF 10200 ± 1300

As can be seen in Table 8 above, the skin retention of T-EGH was about100 times higher than that of EGH.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin retention rate of EGH.

Example 3-3 Verification of Effects of T-PDGFb Fusion Protein Example3-3-1 Verification of Effect on Collagen Expression

The effects of T-PDGFb (synthesized in Example 2-3) and PDGFb on theproduction of collagen and elastin were verified.

Specifically, fibroblasts were inoculated into a 6-well plate containingDMEM medium and were cultured for 24 hours to obtain a culture productshowing a saturation degree of 70-80%. Various concentrations (1, 10 and100 ng/ml) of T-PDGFb or PDGFb were added to the culture product andfurther cultured for 16 hours. After completion of the culture, thecultured cells were washed with PBS, and total RNA was isolated from thecells using an RNAeasy kit. The isolated total RNA was subjected toRT-PCR to obtain cDNA, and the obtained cDNA was subjected to real-timePCR, thereby quantitatively determining the expression level ofcollagen. As a control group, fibroblasts cultured without treatmentwith T-PDGFb or PDGFb were used, and as an internal control, GAP3DH mRNAwas used (see Table 9).

TABLE 9 Effect of fusion protein on collagen expression Concentration ofExpression level Treated protein protein (%) Control — 100 ± 11 PDGFb  1ng/ml 190 ± 13  10 ng/ml 324 ± 35 100 ng/ml 630 ± 35 T-PDGFb  1 ng/ml212 ± 31  10 ng/ml 360 ± 26 100 ng/ml 670 ± 36

As can be seen in Table 9, when the cells were treated with PDGFb orT-PDGFb, the expression level of collagen in the cells increasedcompared to that in the control group. Also, the expression level ofcollagen in the treated cells treated with T-PDGFb was higher than thatin the cells treated with PDGFb.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention can increase the expression level of collagen compared to theuse of PDGFb alone.

Example 3-3-2 Verification of Effect on Elastin Expression

The effect of T-PDGFb or PDGFb on the expression of elastin was verifiedin the same manner as described in Example 3-3-1, except that theexpression level of elastin in place of collagen was quantitativelyanalyzed (see Table 10).

TABLE 10 Effect of fusion protein on elastin expression Concentration ofExpression level Treated protein protein (%) Control — 100 ± 12 PDGFb  1ng/ml 180 ± 11 10 ng/ml 322 ± 19 T-PDGFb  1 ng/ml 192 ± 26 10 ng/ml 370± 34

As can be seen in Table 10, when the cells were treated with PDGFb orT-PDGFb, the expression level of elastin in the cells increased comparedto that in the control group. Also, the expression level of elastin inthe treated cells treated with T-PDGFb was higher than that in the cellstreated with PDGFb.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention can increase the expression level of elastin compared to theuse of PDGFb alone.

Example 3-3-3 Verification of Skin Penetration

The skin penetration of the fusion protein was verified using Franzglass cell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. Then, 200 μg of PDGFb orT-PDGFb was added to the upper end of the cell and allowed to react for16 hours, after which the concentration of PDGFb or T-PDGFb at the lowerend was quantitatively analyzed using a human PDGF-BB ELISA (DGH00, R&Dsystem), and the content of T-PDGFb relative to the content of PDGFb wascalculated as penetration rate (see Table 11).

TABLE 11 Skin penetration rate (%) of fusion protein Treated proteinPenetration (%) PDGFb 100 ± 25 T-PDGFb 490 ± 38

As can be seen in Table 11 above, the skin penetration rate of T-PDGFbwas about 5 times higher than that of PDGFb.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin penetration rate of PDGFb.

Example 3-3-4 Verification of Skin Retention

The skin retention of the fusion protein was verified using Franz glasscell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. 200 μg of each of PDGFbor T-PDGFb was added to the upper end of the cell, and the porcine skintissue was collected and disrupted. The content of PDGFb or T-PDGFb inthe disrupted skin tissue was quantitatively analyzed using a humanPDGF-BB ELISA Kit (DBB00, R&D system). Then, the content of T-PDGFbrelative to the content of PDGFb was calculated as retention rate (seeTable 12).

TABLE 12 Skin retention of fusion protein Treated protein Retention (%)PDGFb   100 ± 25 T-PDGFb 11,300 ± 700

As can be seen in Table 12 above, the skin retention of T-PDGFb wasabout 110 times higher than that of PDGFb.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin retention rate of PDGFb.

Example 3-4 Verification of Effects of T-bFGF Fusion Protein Example3-4-1 Verification of Effect on Collagen Expression

The effects of T-bFGF (synthesized in Example 2-4) and bFGF on theproduction of collagen and elastin were verified.

Specifically, fibroblasts were inoculated into a 6-well plate containingDMEM medium and were cultured for 24 hours to obtain a culture productshowing a saturation degree of 70-80%. Various concentrations (1, 10 and100 ng/ml) of T-bFGF or bFGF were added to the culture product andfurther cultured for 16 hours. After completion of the culture, thecultured cells were washed with PBS, and total RNA was isolated from thecells using an RNAeasy kit. The isolated total RNA was subjected toRT-PCR to obtain cDNA, and the obtained cDNA was subjected to real-timePCR, thereby quantitatively determining the expression level ofcollagen. As a control group, fibroblasts cultured without treatmentwith T-bFGF or bFGF were used, and as an internal control, GAP3DH mRNAwas used (see Table 13).

TABLE 13 Effect of fusion protein on collagen expression ConcentrationExpression level Treated protein of protein (%) Control — 100 ± 21 bFGF 10 ng/ml 224 ± 15 100 ng/ml 420 ± 25 T-bFGF  10 ng/ml 250 ± 32 100ng/ml 490 ± 26

As can be seen in Table 13, when the cells were treated with bFGF orT-bFGF, the expression level of collagen in the cells increased comparedto that in the control group. Also, the expression level of collagen inthe treated cells treated with T-bFGF was higher than that in the cellstreated with bFGF.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention can increase the expression level of elastin compared to theuse of bFGF alone.

Example 3-4-2 Verification of Effect on Elastin Expression

The effect of T-bFGF or bFGF on the expression of elastin was verifiedin the same manner as described in Example 3-4-2, except that theexpression level of elastin in place of collagen was quantitativelyanalyzed (see Table 14).

TABLE 14 Effect of fusion protein on elastin expression ConcentrationExpression level Treated protein of protein (%) Control — 100 ± 14 bFGF 1 ng/ml  95 ± 14 10 ng/ml 220 ± 24 T-bFGF  1 ng/ml 112 ± 10 10 ng/ml290 ± 24

As can be seen in Table 14, when the cells were treated with bFGF orT-bFGF, the expression level of elastin in the cells generally increasedcompared to that in the control group. Also, the expression level ofelastin in the treated cells treated with T-bFGF was higher than that inthe cells treated with bFGF.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention can increase the expression level of elastin compared to theuse of bFGF alone.

Example 3-4-3 Verification of Skin Penetration

The skin penetration of the fusion protein was verified using Franzglass cell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. Then, 200 μg of bFGF orT-bFGF was added to the upper end of the cell and allowed to react for16 hours, after which the concentration of bFGF or T-bFGF at the lowerend was quantitatively analyzed using a human FGFb ELISA kit (DGH00, R&Dsystem), and the content of T-bFGF relative to the content of bFGF wascalculated as penetration rate (see Table 15).

TABLE 15 Skin penetration rate (%) of fusion protein Treated proteinRetention (%) bFGF 100 ± 15 T-bFGF 513 ± 19

As can be seen in Table 15 above, the skin penetration rate of T-bFGFwas about 5 times higher than that of bFGF.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin penetration of bFGF.

Example 3-4-4 Verification of Skin Retention

The skin retention of the fusion protein was verified using Franz glasscell (standard diameter: 9 mm, receiver: 5 ml, Permegear).

Specifically, the porcine skin (0.7 mm thickness, Medikinetics) wasplaced between the upper and lower ends of the glass cell, and TBS (50mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) containing 1% BSA and 0.01% Tween 20 wasprepared. Then, 500 μl of the TBS was added to the upper end (donorchamber) of the glass cell, and 5 ml and of the TBS was added to thelower end (receiver chamber) of the glass cell. 200 μg of each of bFGFor T-bFGF was added to the upper end of the cell, and the porcine skintissue was collected and disrupted. The content of bFGF or T-bFGF in thedisrupted skin tissue was quantitatively analyzed using a human bFGFELISA Kit (DBB50, R&D system). Then, the content of T-PDGFb relative tothe content of bFGF was calculated as retention rate (see Table 16)

TABLE 16 Skin retention of fusion protein Treated protein Retention (%)bFGF  100 ± 25 T-bFGF 9,800 ± 210

As can be seen in Table 16 above, the skin retention of T-bFGF was about100 times higher than that of hGH.

Thus, it can be seen that the use of the fusion protein of the presentinvention significantly increases the skin retention rate of bFGF.

As described above, the fusion protein of the present invention, whichcomprises the skin-penetrating peptide fused to a physiologically activeprotein, significantly enhances the skin penetration and skin retentionof the physiologically active protein while maintaining or enhancing theability of the physiologically active protein to synthesize substances,for example, collagen, elastin, laminin and HAS2, which show usefuleffects such as skin wrinkle reduction. Thus, the fusion protein of thepresent invention can be widely used as an active ingredient infunctional cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions forexternal skin use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fusion protein comprising a skin-penetratingpeptide comprising represented by the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:
 1. 2. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion proteincomprises the skin-penetrating peptide and a physiologically activeprotein.
 3. The fusion protein of claim 2, wherein the skin-penetratingpeptide is bound to the N-terminus of the physiologically activeprotein.
 4. The fusion protein of claim 3, wherein the skin-penetratingpeptide is bound to the N-terminus of the physiologically active proteinby a linker.
 5. The fusion protein of claim 2, wherein thephysiologically active protein is a hormone or a cytokine.
 6. The fusionprotein of claim 5, wherein the hormone is a human growth hormone (hGH).7. The fusion protein of claim 5, wherein the hormone is represented bythe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 8. The fusion protein of claim5, wherein the cytokine is a growth factor.
 9. The fusion protein ofclaim 8, wherein the growth factor is selected from the group consistingof epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor-bsubunit (PDGFb), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
 10. Thefusion protein of claim 8, wherein the growth factor is represented byan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the aminoacid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3 to SEQ ID NO:
 5. 11. The fusion proteinof claim 1, wherein the fusion protein is represented by an amino acidsequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequencesof SEQ ID NO: 6 to SEQ ID NO:
 9. 12. A polynucleotide encoding thefusion protein of claim
 1. 13. An expression vector comprising thepolynucleotide of claim
 12. 14. A transformant comprising the expressionvector of claim
 13. 15. A method for preparing a fusion proteincomprising a skin-penetrating peptide represented by the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the method comprising the steps of: (a)culturing the transformant of claim 14 to obtain a culture product; and(b) recovering the fusion protein from the culture product.
 16. Acosmetic composition for improving skin conditions, comprising thefusion protein of claim 1 as an active ingredient.
 17. A method forimproving skin conditions, comprising transdermally administering thecomposition of claim
 16. 18. A pharmaceutical composition for externalskin use, comprising the fusion protein of claim 1 as an activeingredient.